"So far we're not focusing on what happens next year, or in the future. It's more about what happens right now.

"There's no news for you yet, and I don't want to get involved in a deep discussion on it, so let's leave it at that."

Schumacher, though, is determined to turn his performances around and thrust himself into contention for podium places at least.

"We have proven we are able to win races," said Schumacher. "Yes, I have been a bit unlucky, but we're a team, one big family and we win together and lose together. It's part of it.

"But I don't feel at all disappointed. If anything, the reverse: more motivated because of how much progress we have made.

"I can see the future progress, and that's what is more in my focus."

Team principal Ross Brawn, back at the helm this weekend after missing the race in Spain following tests to diagnose a heart arrhythmia, is unsurprised to hear of Schumacher's eagerness to set the record straight.

Brawn said: "That's very much Michael. That's what Formula One is about and he likes that challenge.

"He does dig pretty deep when things are not going as well as they might.

"Collectively we haven't achieved the results we perhaps could have achieved with him this year.

"But what we see is the core performance is very good. So we have to get everything aligned and start to get some good results.

"We need a few more things to fall into place and I think we can still have a lot of fun with Michael.

"There was a lot of attention on what happened in Spain, but there would be massive attention if he does succeed and do well, which I'm looking forward to."